diff --git a/catalyst/utils/remote.py b/catalyst/utils/remote.py
index 21f416ac6..cdd390dbd 100644
--- a/catalyst/utils/remote.py
+++ b/catalyst/utils/remote.py
@@ -141,7 +141,12 @@ def get_remote_status(algo_id):
 
 
 def send_digest_request(json_file, path, method):
-    key, secret = retrieve_remote_auth()
+    try:
+        key, secret = retrieve_remote_auth()
+    except json.JSONDecodeError as e:
+        log.error("your key and secret aren't stored properly\n{}".
+                  format(e.msg))
+        raise
     json_file['key'] = key
     session = requests.Session()
     if method == POST: